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Home My WebLink AboutPZ Minutes; 03-26-12Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 3/26/12 1 City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2012 Vice Chairman Williams called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ziertman, Bloyer, Haggard Obermueller, Hall, Williams, Fliflet. COMMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Pelletier, STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Klatt Moment of Silence for Bob Van Zandt The Planning Commission offered a moment of silence in honor of Bob Van Zandt. Commissioners shared their memories of Bob and reflected on his work with the Commission. Discussion of Meeting Chair Williams indicated that he had reviewed the City Code, which specifies that when a vacancy occurs in the Chairperson's office, the Vice Chairperson shall assume the Chairperson's duties for the remainder of the year, and a new Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the Commission at a special election to be held at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. Approve Agenda M/S/P: Hall/ move to approve the agenda as presented. Vote 7:0 Minutes – March 12, 2012 M/S/P: Obermueller/Ziertman, move to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2012 meeting with one change. Vote 6:0 with one abstention (Bloyer). Business Item – 11240 50th Street North Minor Subdivision Klatt explained that the Planning Commission was being asked to consider a request from Jean Madrinich, 11240 50th Street North, for a minor subdivision to allow the splitting of her existing 19.72-acre parcel into three separate lots. He noted that this request has been made primarily to accommodate the City’s identification of the applicant’s property as a suitable location for a future City well. As part of its negotiations concerning the acquisition of property from the applicant, the City agreed to prepare the survey work necessary for the applicant to create a second building site on her property. With recent ordinance changes to accommodate a situation such as this, the applicant’s request for a minor subdivision does comply with the City’s zoning and subdivision regulations Klatt stated that Staff is recommending approval of the applicant’s request to subdivision the existing 19.72 acre parcel at 11240 50th Street North into three separate parcels, one of which will be acquired by the City of Lake Elmo for a future well. He recommended the inclusion of three conditions of approval: 1) That the City receive payment to satisfy the required fee in lieu of parkland dedication prior to the issuance of a building permit for “Parcel Y”, 2) that any easements as required by the Valley Branch Watershed district shall be documented on the survey form submitted with a building permit prior to the issuance of a building permit for “Parcel Y”, and 3) that any easements necessary to provide services to “Parcel Y” shall be Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 3/26/12 2 secured and shown on the survey form submitted with a building permit prior to the issuance of a building permit for “Parcel Y”. Jean Madrinich, the applicant, explained that the City has executed a purchase option for the exception parcel. Fliflet made a motion, which was seconded by Obermueller, to recommend approval of the request for a Minor Subdivision with three conditions of approval and with a recommendation that the new well building be constructed in a manner to represent the rural character of the surrounding land. M/S/P: Obermueller/Fliflet to amend the motion, to also ask that the City Council consider completing the trail segment along 50th Street that currently ends to the east of the applicant’s parcel. Vote 7:0. M/S/P: Williams/Fliflet to further amend the motion to express concern with the ability to create a driveway between the southern boundary of Parcel “Y” and the wetlands on this property. Vote 5:1 with one abstention (Fliflet). The final motion with the two amendments carried with a vote of 7:0. Business Item - Lake Elmo Park Reserve West Side Access Plan Klatt reported that the Planning Commission is being asked to review and provide comments on a plan that has been prepared by Washington County to identify potential options for improving access to the Lake Elmo Park Reserve from the west side of park property. He explained that Staff has participated in a stakeholder group that has been reviewing the plan over the past year or so, and that there have been two public open houses to solicit public feedback on the plan. Klatt stated that the West Side Access plan does incorporate several of the recommendations from Lake Elmo’s trail plan, including a proposed trail along 15th Street between the park and Inwood Avenue. The Planning Commission discussed some of their concerns with the plans, and in particular their concern with directing people to 10th Street from 15th Street rather than using the planned tunnel to the north. The Commission also stated their desire to have access into the park from the east also addressed. Brad Sahr, 9170 15th Street, addressed the Commission and indicated that he lives next to the park. He questioned who has been asking for the trails that are planned, and stated that very few residents would benefit from the plan. He asked the City to consider how much the trails would cost, both for construction and ongoing maintenance, compared to who will benefit from them. Sahr also expressed concern with parking at the end of 15th Street, and specifically the additional parking that would result along the street from users looking to avoid the park entrance fees. Jonathan Houk, 1532 15th Street Court, stated that he owns a long stretch of road along the proposed 15th Street trail. He expressed concern over the City of Oakdale’s ability to build its Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 3/26/12 3 portion of the proposed trails, and questioned why a trail could not be created along 10th Street. Houk questioned how many people would use the trail, and indicated that it would benefit very few people. Michele Houk, 1532 15th Street Court, explained that 15th Street continues to be used as dumping grounds for trash. She noted that the City would have to pay for a trail along the street, and asked whether or not this would be the best use of City funds. Houk expressed concern over placing trails on both sides of Inwood Avenue, and asked the Commission to consider other entrances into the park that would benefit more users within Lake Elmo. Bloyer noted his concern about the ability to construct and build out the plans that are proposed. He suggested that the City focus on other issued, and stated his objection to all aspects of the plan. Obermueller discussed her apprehension about the potential expenditures need to build the proposed trails. Fliflet stated that she is not opposed to improving parks within the City, but that the proposed trails would be a poor use of resources. Ziertman expressed concern about the trails not connecting anywhere, and indicated that she would like to see the Park Commission re-evaluate the 15th Street trail segment. The Commission developed a list of pros and cons associated with the proposed plan to submit to the Washington County as follows: Pros:  The proposed tunnel under Inwood Avenue south of Torre Pines would be a good thing and improve safety along the corridor.  Increasing access to the regional park. Cons:  Total cost of project.  Concern about being financially irresponsible.  The expense of the tunnel under Inwood Avenue.  Providing access to 15th Street from the park.  The plan does not suitably demonstrate the need for the proposed improvements.  The practicability of improving access and the resulting parking and traffic issues.  Trails on both sides of Inwood Avenue would be redundant and wasteful.  Would like to see consideration given to improving access in the northeast quarter of the site, and in general, access that provides better access for more Lake Elmo residents.  Parking areas off of road would be better than on-street parking  The City needs to have conversations with the County regarding parking along Inwood Avenue. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 3/26/12 4 Council Updates Klatt reported on recent City Council decisions concerning land use applications. He noted that the variance application for 5577 Lake Elmo Avenue had been tabled and will be considered at ta future Council meeting. Staff Updates Klatt stated that the Commission would need to vote for a new Vice Chairperson at its next meeting. He reported that a Village land owner meeting was conducted on March 15th and that an open house concerning the draft Village land use plan would be conducted on March 29th. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kyle Klatt Planning Director